Old Main, Suomi College

Old Main is a university building in Hancock featuring Richardsonian Romanesque architecture with a gabled roof, wall dormers, an arched entrance, and large bay windows topped with a tower. The three-story sandstone structure housed dormitories, classrooms, offices, a chapel, and administrative facilities.

The cornerstone of Old Main was laid in 1898 when Suomi College was established to train Lutheran ministers for Finnish immigrant communities. The building stood as a central landmark for the Finnish community's presence and growth in the region.

The building represents Finnish American educational heritage as the founding structure of Suomi College, which became Finlandia University. It reflects how Finnish immigrants valued higher education in their new homeland.

The building constructed from Jacobsville sandstone is viewable from the exterior and displays its distinctive architecture prominently in the Hancock area. The structure is located in an accessible part of town and easy to locate for visitors interested in regional heritage.

The building was constructed from Jacobsville sandstone sourced locally from the Portage Entry area of the Keweenaw waterway. This material choice connects the structure directly to the regional geology and natural resources of the Upper Peninsula.

Location: Michigan

Made from material: sandstone

GPS coordinates: 47.12694,-88.58833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04